Memorial Championship Delivers Thrilling First Round at Fountain Hills Park

Yesterday's morning session at Fountain Hills Park was an eye-opener for all involved in the Memorial Championship presented by Discraft, part of the 2016 PDGA National Tour Elite Series. The beautiful Arizona setting, complete with majestic mountains, sparkling fountains, and a serene lake, was just as captivating as ever. With temperatures pushing nearly 90 degrees, it was clear that this year's competition would be one to remember.

The Open Women's division got underway at 7:08 am, with several players vying for the top spot on the leaderboard. Defending champion Paige Pierce brought her characteristic energy and enthusiasm to the course, carding a solid score of 55 (-1) despite some challenging conditions. Meanwhile, Catrina Allen made a dramatic turnaround on the back nine, rattling off five birdies without a single bogey en route to an impressive unofficially rated score of 51 (-5).

The Open division was equally electrifying, with several players producing standout performances. Paul McBeth, the current PDGA World Champion, found himself watching as scores improved throughout the day, but he ultimately matched Nikko Locastro's blistering bogey-free round of 43 (-13) to set the tone for the remaining rounds.

A notable newcomer to the Open division was Anthony "AB" Barela, the US and World Amateur Champion. The young prodigy has been mentored by McBeth himself, and their on-course chemistry was undeniable as they exchanged birdies throughout the round. AB ultimately finished with a score of 48, landing him in a tie for 12th place.

As the competition shifts to Round 2 today, all eyes will be on the top players in both divisions, including Locastro, McBeth, Simon Lizotte, and Nate Sexton, who are all within striking range. The live broadcast on SmashBoxxTV starting at approximately 2:00 pm MST promises to deliver more thrilling action from Fiesta Lakes Golf Course, where the Open Women's division lead card will take center stage.

Stay up-to-date with all the latest news, scores, and updates from the Memorial Championship by following The Memorial Championships and the PDGA on Facebook, as well as @PDGA and @pdgalive on Twitter. High-resolution pictures from Round 1 are now available for viewing and downloading on the PDGA Flickr page.

This article was compiled from disc golf coverage with AI assistance. Source: pdga.com — https://www.pdga.com/locastro-mcbeth-and-allen-dominate-fountain-hills